Having sex is like having a play fight in gigantic super-powered suits of robot-armor.

It's fun and safe as long as both combatants have their energy shield turned on. Massive, roaring attacks that could tear a tank apart just dissipate in the glimmering barrier and give you a warm fuzzy feeling.

Consent - internal consent (!) - is the energy shield.

If you're absolutely sure your partner has theirs On, all is well, go play fight, have fun.

You can even make sure it's on but then say you're going to act like it isn't! Pretend you're actually fighting in an interstellar war between the Mega Corps of the 24th century. Two stainless steel titans meeting on the scarred surface of a once lush planet ravaged by mining and war, grizzled and determined to leave the other in a smoldering heap of twisted metal. It's all fine, as long as in reality both your shields are On!

If there is any doubt at all, ask to make sure before you drive your rocket-fist into their groin plating because without their shields On you could liquefy them!

That shield is the ONLY thing that keeps your play fighting safe and fun.

You NEED to take care everyone has theirs on. Don't look for loopholes or gotchas!

Is it consent if someone says No but means Yes? Is it consent if they say Yes but mean No? If I got them to say Yes, am I in the clear? They didn't seem into it but they didn't say No? I was gentle about it? They did that with their ex, why not with me? They didn't say anything but they were hard/wet?

All irrelevant. What matters is how they feel. That's the energy shield.

Always make sure everyone has their shield On and if they don't, wait until they do. You can't force it! You can't reach out of your cockpit into theirs to flip their switch. They need to do that on their own.

You're playing with brutally overarmed mechs! It can be safe and fun for all involved, but you have to be responsible with this power.